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Italian judicial administration and staffing reforms

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-08 07:32 UTC → 2026-10-25 18:00 UTC · added removed

The Italian judiciary is undergoing administrative and structural changes managed by the High Council of the Judiciary (CSM). In September 2026, the CSM approved a resolution to implement new psycho-aptitude tests for future magistrates, including judges and public prosecutors. These assessments aim to evaluate cognitive, emotional, relational, ethical, and organizational capacities. The National Association of Magistrates (ANM) has opposed the measure, suggesting it could be used to influence the judiciary during recruitment. Simultaneously, efforts are being made to address significant staffing shortages across the Italian justice system, which reported shortages, with 1,314 vacant magistrate positions reported in late September 2026. To mitigate these vacancies, the CSM’s Third Commission unanimously proposed assigning 47 trainee magistrate positions to offices in the Calabria region, specifically targeting the districts of Catanzaro (33 positions) and Reggio Calabria. Calabria (14 positions). This proposal, which awaits review by the CSM Plenum, prioritizes smaller offices where vacancies severely impact functionality. By early October 2026, debates regarding judicial governance and geography intensified. Fabrizio Malagnino, a magistrate from the Court of Lecce and candidate for the CSM, has advocated for a merit-based selection process based on merit to ensure the Council remains “free from external conditioning” to address staffing shortages. conditioning.” Concurrently, the Justice Commission in the Chamber of Deputies is debating a government bill concerning judicial geography. Various deputies have introduced amendments to reverse 2012 cuts by proposing the reopening of small courts or the establishment of new offices. Specific proposals include reopening the Court of Bassano del Grappa, establishing offices, such as a second Court of Appeal in Verona, and creating Verona or new judicial sections in cities such as like Parma, Sassari, Lucera, and Olbia. In late October 2026, over 9,000 magistrates began voting to elect 20 members of the CSM to serve from 2027 to 2031. This election, following the Cartabia reform, fills seats reserved for judges through a mixed electoral system involving four colleges.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-25 18:00 UTC Italian judicial administration and staffing reforms
  2. 2026-10-08 07:32 UTC Italian judicial administration and staffing reforms
  3. 2026-10-02 16:32 UTC Italian judicial administration and staffing reforms

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